It wasn't very long ago that the Chinese blogosphere became engrossed with two near-simultaneous and very public posts by well-known expats marking their decisions to leave China for greener pastures. While grumbling about this country is nothing new, this event was notable for kicking off a flurry of media coverage internationally on the question of whether China is becoming hostile to foreigners, and when and to where disgruntled expats should hoof it.

That is why this week on Sinica we are delighted to be joined by none other than Will Moss of Imagethief, whose own valedictory post earlier this week made for surprisingly sentimental reading, being not the least negative about China and we think it's worth talking about why. Also up for discussion: what if anything does Xi Jinping mean in his public remarks on China's coming "restoration", and where is the best place in Beijing that we've found to date for azure magpie spotting.

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Interested in some of your comments in the podcast (mp3 file) but think you're way off base on some of your conclusions of some of the Chinese Leaders' public comments.

Just remember, in spite of the apocalyptic words, we've woken the Dragon. And to what I believe will be everyone's dismay, unlike the often stereotyped benevolent Chinese dragon, this one is going to prove itself more in line with the Western, fire-breathing, human-eating variety and claim what it perceives as it's rightful place in the world as it well pleases; through any means it see fit. It's motto is, "The end justifies the means." They have nothing to gain and much to lose by playing ball with the world according to current world agreed upon business practices. In fact, just as the blacks in American history changed the games of baseball & basketball, just as the Spanish did with Central & South America peoples, just as the American government did with the native American tribes, just as the Vikings did with the slave market in northern Europe, the Chinese will set new "Chinese" standards for "doing business" - any way they see fit as long as it achieves their goals of world supremacy & dominance. We have seen evidence of this numerous times. Look at their space race to the moon. Look at the technology they have pilfered from both the factories that they demanded had to be built in China to do business with China and the fifth element of cadre scientist and mathematicians strategically located throughout the world. Look at how they have hoarded certain exotic minerals & metals from the world market. Look at how they "annexed" Tibet & Inner Mongolia. Look at the stepped-up insurgency actions in the South China Seas and with Japan. And watch out America. China owns more of America than America - they have, what, 1 Trillion dollars invested in America. They could break America just by cashing in. And it's not the only country they have "invested" in. They have gone well beyond what President Kennedy hoped to accomplish with his Peace Corp. Hark my words.

This episode is timely for me because I just moved to China from Seattle on Sunday! (I'm signed up for at least a year) I'm still in that adorable neophyte stage where I have to psych myself up to go out for dinner alone. But urban hiking is a great way to engage with the city apart from language. It just feels natural here in a way it never did in the states. Loved my walk from 东直门 to 大望路 today. It was freaking cold though.

Can't wait to try out some of Will's other hikes and find some of those secret canal spots. Wish you the best, Will!

Thanks, Mike. And do try to walk. Some if it isn't very nice, but some of it is very nice indeed. I remember the neophyte stage well, including how terrified I was the first time I went to the supermarket, took the subway by myself, etc. Enjoy it while it lasts!

A big thanks to Will for sharing his walks. I have many fond memories of romping multiple kilometers through Beijing, and it is something that I hope to do more of in the future. I always felt that I should know more than just the central areas inside 3rd ring road if I want to claim to be a Beijing resident.

遊俠, the song actually isn't Tang Dynasty but Chunqiu (Kaiser's more recent band). The song is called 猎人 (The Huntsman) and yes, it's available from iTunes of from Baidu Music for free. same song at the beginning and the end.

With Sinica I don't have a love-hate relationship but with China I do have. However all this "time to leave China" talk is rather surprising since nothing has happened to we didn't know would happen already. Unless you are ignorant of course.. oh well. I wouldn't live in China permanently but I love to visit. That's my way to get around my 'love-hate relationship' with this stunning country. Re., Vic. "think positive!"